How to Use a Shooting Range
Learn and follow all the rules of the specific shooting range., Double-check that you have everything mandatory before entering the range., Have your gun thoroughly unloaded, with its bolt or action open, and in its case before you bring it into the...
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Learn and follow all the rules of the specific shooting range.
You can usually pick up a pamphlet of rules for free, and sometimes rules are also posted outside the shooting range buildings.
Make sure you know and are following all the rules before entering the shooting range.
The only common requirement of every shooting range in the US is that the shooter must be at least 18 or 21 years of age (or have a legal guardian present) and have signed a waiver beforehand.Know that a "hot" range is when the range is active and people are shooting downrange.
A "cold"
or inactive, range is when absolutely no one is allowed to shoot, all guns must be completely unloaded, and no one is permitted to even touch their guns. -
Step 2: Double-check that you have everything mandatory before entering the range.
This usually includes but is not limited to the following.
Eye protection Ear protection Gun case Targets (sometimes you can purchase these at shooting ranges, other times you'll need to bring your own and some way to set them up) , Check to make sure its unloaded once, twice, and three times.
Being thoroughly unloaded means there should be absolutely zero ammunition in the gun or the gun's cartridge. , This is mandatory at some shooting ranges, at others it isn't mandatory but is a very good safety practice. , Anyone can make a mistake and a gun's safety mechanism can be faulty.
Never trust that a loaded gun won't go off, and place yourself accordingly. , If you, or someone else, is doing something that could be unsafe, he should tell you to stop.
If he does, listen to him. , This is almost always mandatory, and even if not, it's best to protect your senses.
Sometimes prescription glasses or sunglasses are allowed as eye protection, though at some ranges you'll need actual safety glasses.
For ear protection, both foam/plastic inserts and shooting ear muffs should be okay. , These rules differ from range to range:
Some ranges will penalize you for collecting empty ammunition shells or cases, while others' rules state you must clean up after yourself.
Sometimes the latter type of ranges will have a container you can 'donate' your emptied shells into, other times you'll have to take them home to dispose of them. , Set your gun at an empty bay or empty table, and set your stuff along the wall behind you.
People at shooting ranges are almost astoundingly polite and friendly; you'll probably never need to worry about someone messing with your stuff. , Generally shooting ranges are set up with two repeated types of usage: one when the range is hot and people are shooting at the targets; the second when every person is done shooting, all the guns are unloaded and not being touched, and people are permitted downrange to check, set up, or tear down targets. , If a shooter or spectator doesn't know the rules or isn't practicing proper gun safety and could harm others, kindly tell them so.
Explain the rules and why they're in place, and any other gun safety if applicable. , This isn't always required but is a good precaution.
Just remember that safety's don't always work and you should never treat a loaded, "safe" gun as if it's actually safe.
It isn't.
Practice muzzle control at all times.
Never point your gun's barrel near any people, wildlife, or anything like metal or rock where a bullet could ricochet.
Keep your finger off the trigger.
This is a very good habit to form, and you should never touch the trigger at all until you're aimed and ready to shoot.
Don't shoot at other people's targets unless they left it up.
Sometimes people will leave their targets hanging for others to use, but that's sometimes considered rude.
Don't shoot the wildlife.
Some wildlife such as deer will venture close to shooting ranges.
These are not intended for targets and should not be shot at unless you want to face high fees or penalties. , Step back from your gun and have a seat along the bench wall, letting other shooters know that you're done shooting for now and are waiting for them to finish before going downrange. , When the range is cold, people can go downrange to check, set up, or tear down targets.
Some nicer gun ranges will have a flag or light system set up to indicate when the range is cold. , Communicate with the other shooters and try to do everything in a timely manner. (Do note that some shooting ranges have designated times for the range being hot and the range being totally cold and inactive; if so, follow these designated times along with everyone else.) If all the other shooters have their guns emptied and unloaded and are waiting to go downrange, don't spend forever shooting more rounds.
Instead, finish off the rounds you have loaded, triple-check that your gun is empty and the action is open, and let the other shooters know that you are done shooting.
If you aren't done shooting and the other shooters are asking how many more rounds until you're done, indicate the answer by holding up your fingers.
This is often easier and more efficient than trying to shout above the ear protectors.
When you do go downrange to examine, set up, or tear down targets, try to do this quickly.
Don't have everyone waiting on you. , Sometimes shooting ranges will allow a member to invite a guest, but only for a limited number of times.
Know the rules for your shooting range before driving out there. , Even if you aren't shooting and even if this isn't required, it's still best to protect your senses.
Sometimes prescription glasses or sunglasses are allowed as eye protection, though at some ranges you'll need actual safety glasses.
Both foam/plastic inserts and shooting ear muffs should be okay. , Don't touch or mess with anything that you didn't bring with you. , This is due to the possibility of the ammunition containing lead (some still does), and is a rule at some shooting ranges. ,, Guns are a very controversial topic in some areas and there's no need to start strife in a community.
This is common courtesy. -
Step 3: Have your gun thoroughly unloaded
-
Step 4: with its bolt or action open
-
Step 5: and in its case before you bring it into the building.
-
Step 6: Stay away from the shooting tables and your guns when anyone is downrange.
-
Step 7: Never walk in front of a loaded gun
-
Step 8: even if the gun's safety is on.
-
Step 9: If there's a range master around
-
Step 10: familiarize yourself with him and do as he says.
-
Step 11: Wear eye and ear protection.
-
Step 12: Learn the rules on collecting empty shells at the shooting range.
-
Step 13: Get yourself and your things set up.
-
Step 14: Always make sure the range is clear of people before commencing shooting.
-
Step 15: Make sure everyone knows the rules and safety practices of the range
-
Step 16: and that everyone knows when the range is hot (people are shooting) and when all guns must be set down and not touched so people can go downrange.
-
Step 17: When the range is hot
-
Step 18: go to your shooting bay
-
Step 19: load your cartridge or gun
-
Step 20: and shoot at your target.Between loading your gun and firing it
-
Step 21: turn on the safety.
-
Step 22: When you're done shooting for the time
-
Step 23: make sure all your gun's rounds are emptied
-
Step 24: the gun is completely unloaded
-
Step 25: and its action is left open so others can see that it's empty.
-
Step 26: When all the shooters are done shooting for the time
-
Step 27: make sure it's good with everyone and then declare the range as cold.
-
Step 28: Don't be rude or obnoxious.
-
Step 29: Know that you may not be allowed to enter as a spectator or guest
-
Step 30: and even then you may have to pay to enter the shooting range.
-
Step 31: Wear eye and ear protection.
-
Step 32: Stay behind the shooting tables and sit quietly.
-
Step 33: Don't take any water or food with you into the range.
-
Step 34: If you need to ask someone something about the range or shooting
-
Step 35: realize that you may have to do so rather loudly due to the ear protectors.
-
Step 36: Don't take any pictures of those shooting.
Detailed Guide
You can usually pick up a pamphlet of rules for free, and sometimes rules are also posted outside the shooting range buildings.
Make sure you know and are following all the rules before entering the shooting range.
The only common requirement of every shooting range in the US is that the shooter must be at least 18 or 21 years of age (or have a legal guardian present) and have signed a waiver beforehand.Know that a "hot" range is when the range is active and people are shooting downrange.
A "cold"
or inactive, range is when absolutely no one is allowed to shoot, all guns must be completely unloaded, and no one is permitted to even touch their guns.
This usually includes but is not limited to the following.
Eye protection Ear protection Gun case Targets (sometimes you can purchase these at shooting ranges, other times you'll need to bring your own and some way to set them up) , Check to make sure its unloaded once, twice, and three times.
Being thoroughly unloaded means there should be absolutely zero ammunition in the gun or the gun's cartridge. , This is mandatory at some shooting ranges, at others it isn't mandatory but is a very good safety practice. , Anyone can make a mistake and a gun's safety mechanism can be faulty.
Never trust that a loaded gun won't go off, and place yourself accordingly. , If you, or someone else, is doing something that could be unsafe, he should tell you to stop.
If he does, listen to him. , This is almost always mandatory, and even if not, it's best to protect your senses.
Sometimes prescription glasses or sunglasses are allowed as eye protection, though at some ranges you'll need actual safety glasses.
For ear protection, both foam/plastic inserts and shooting ear muffs should be okay. , These rules differ from range to range:
Some ranges will penalize you for collecting empty ammunition shells or cases, while others' rules state you must clean up after yourself.
Sometimes the latter type of ranges will have a container you can 'donate' your emptied shells into, other times you'll have to take them home to dispose of them. , Set your gun at an empty bay or empty table, and set your stuff along the wall behind you.
People at shooting ranges are almost astoundingly polite and friendly; you'll probably never need to worry about someone messing with your stuff. , Generally shooting ranges are set up with two repeated types of usage: one when the range is hot and people are shooting at the targets; the second when every person is done shooting, all the guns are unloaded and not being touched, and people are permitted downrange to check, set up, or tear down targets. , If a shooter or spectator doesn't know the rules or isn't practicing proper gun safety and could harm others, kindly tell them so.
Explain the rules and why they're in place, and any other gun safety if applicable. , This isn't always required but is a good precaution.
Just remember that safety's don't always work and you should never treat a loaded, "safe" gun as if it's actually safe.
It isn't.
Practice muzzle control at all times.
Never point your gun's barrel near any people, wildlife, or anything like metal or rock where a bullet could ricochet.
Keep your finger off the trigger.
This is a very good habit to form, and you should never touch the trigger at all until you're aimed and ready to shoot.
Don't shoot at other people's targets unless they left it up.
Sometimes people will leave their targets hanging for others to use, but that's sometimes considered rude.
Don't shoot the wildlife.
Some wildlife such as deer will venture close to shooting ranges.
These are not intended for targets and should not be shot at unless you want to face high fees or penalties. , Step back from your gun and have a seat along the bench wall, letting other shooters know that you're done shooting for now and are waiting for them to finish before going downrange. , When the range is cold, people can go downrange to check, set up, or tear down targets.
Some nicer gun ranges will have a flag or light system set up to indicate when the range is cold. , Communicate with the other shooters and try to do everything in a timely manner. (Do note that some shooting ranges have designated times for the range being hot and the range being totally cold and inactive; if so, follow these designated times along with everyone else.) If all the other shooters have their guns emptied and unloaded and are waiting to go downrange, don't spend forever shooting more rounds.
Instead, finish off the rounds you have loaded, triple-check that your gun is empty and the action is open, and let the other shooters know that you are done shooting.
If you aren't done shooting and the other shooters are asking how many more rounds until you're done, indicate the answer by holding up your fingers.
This is often easier and more efficient than trying to shout above the ear protectors.
When you do go downrange to examine, set up, or tear down targets, try to do this quickly.
Don't have everyone waiting on you. , Sometimes shooting ranges will allow a member to invite a guest, but only for a limited number of times.
Know the rules for your shooting range before driving out there. , Even if you aren't shooting and even if this isn't required, it's still best to protect your senses.
Sometimes prescription glasses or sunglasses are allowed as eye protection, though at some ranges you'll need actual safety glasses.
Both foam/plastic inserts and shooting ear muffs should be okay. , Don't touch or mess with anything that you didn't bring with you. , This is due to the possibility of the ammunition containing lead (some still does), and is a rule at some shooting ranges. ,, Guns are a very controversial topic in some areas and there's no need to start strife in a community.
This is common courtesy.
About the Author
Jacob Perry
Creates helpful guides on hobbies to inspire and educate readers.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: